Engineering dinner features 'hydrogen highway' talk

Feb. 11, 2010

KALAMAZOO--"Building a Worldwide Hydrogen Super Highway" will be the keynote topic when engineers from across Southwest Michigan convene on the Western Michigan University campus Tuesday, Feb. 16, for the 31st annual Engineers Week Dinner, which will be held at the Fetzer Center.

Keynote speaker for the event is Justin Eric Sutton, founder and managing partner of Interstate Traveler Co. LLC. Sutton began his work with a goal to "fix Amtrak," and his company grew up around that research. He now has 180 partner investors from across North America and the company's Hydrogen Super Highway has captured the imagination of thousands from around the world.

The Michigan-based company's mission is to mass produce an inexpensive and universal form of public transportation, moving people via a high-speed magnetic rail system--known as Maglev. The system would also provide structural conduit for the distribution of electricity, potable water, liquid waste, fiber optics, hydrogen, oxygen, and where applicable, other liquid and vapor based fuels.

Reservations

The cost to attend the dinner is $20, and reservations must be made by Friday, Feb. 12. Reservation forms can be found online at www.ceas.wmich.edu/eweek or by calling the WMU College of Engineering and Applied Sciences at (269) 276-3253. The event begins with a 5:30 p.m. social hour, and dinner begins at 6:30 p.m.

Prior to the dinner, high school students interested in engineering or related technologies will attend a program with their teachers at WMU's engineering complex on the Parkview Campus. The program will focus on specific applications of engineering.

Engineers Week is a national celebration, and this year marks the 59th year of activities organized by engineering societies to increase public awareness. Taking part in the activities at WMU this year will be representatives from 12 Southwest Michigan engineering societies.